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The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (February 2).
The value of total retail sales in December 2008, provisionally estimated at $25.3 billion, increased by 0.8% over a year earlier. After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the volume of total retail sales decreased by 0.7% in December 2008 over a year earlier.
The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in November 2008, at $20.5 billion, increased by 1.2% over November 2007, while the volume of total retail sales decreased by 2.7%.
Analysed by broad type of retail outlet and comparing December 2008 with December 2007, the volume of sales of miscellaneous consumer durable goods increased the most, by 16.9%. This was followed by sales of fuels (+9.8% in volume); electrical goods and photographic equipment (+7.1%); commodities in department stores (+1.5%); miscellaneous consumer goods (+1.3%); wearing apparel (+1.1%); and furniture and fixtures (+1.1%).
On the other hand, the volume of sales of motor vehicles and parts decreased the most, by 22.3% in December 2008 compared with a year earlier. This was followed by sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (-9.8% in volume); and footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-5.6%).
Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the volume of total retail sales decreased by 3.6% in the fourth quarter of 2008 compared with the preceding quarter.
For 2008 as a whole, total retail sales increased by 10.5% in value or 5.0% in volume over 2007.
Analysed by broad type of retail outlet and comparing the whole year of 2008 with 2007, the volume of sales of electrical goods and photographic equipment increased the most, by 16.4%. This was followed by sales of fuels (+9.1% in volume); wearing apparel (+8.2%); furniture and fixtures (+7.6%); miscellaneous consumer goods (+6.4%); commodities in department stores (+5.3%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (+4.4%); miscellaneous consumer durable goods (+3.5%); commodities in supermarkets (+1.1%); and motor vehicles and parts (+1.1%).
On the other hand, the volume of sales of food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco decreased by 1.4% in 2008 compared with a year earlier (despite an increase of 15.9% in the volume of sales of alcoholic drinks and tobacco within this group).
These retail sales statistics are primarily intended to measure the sales receipts in respect of goods sold by local retail establishments, for gauging the short-term business performance of the local retail sector. They cover consumer spending on goods but not on services. Moreover, they include spending on goods by visitors in Hong Kong but not by Hong Kong residents outside Hong Kong. Hence they should not be regarded as a comprehensive indicator of overall consumer spending. In this context, it may be noted that the share of consumer spending on services in overall consumer spending has been increasing over time.
Users interested in the trend of overall consumer spending should refer to the quarterly series of private consumption expenditure (PCE), which is a major component of the Gross Domestic Product. Compiled from a wide range of data sources, PCE covers consumer spending on both goods (including goods purchased from all channels) and services by Hong Kong residents whether domestically or abroad.
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that retail sales showed some improvement in December as compared to the previous two months, amid some stabilisation in both inbound tourism and local consumer spending. This can broadly be seen from the narrowed year-on-year decline in the volume of retail sales in December.
The spokesman also noted that the near-term prospect of the retail business will continue to be overshadowed by the global economic downturn. However, the Government's package of measures to create employment and to boost tourism should render some support to the retail business.
Further information
The volume of retail sales is derived from the value of retail sales after adjusting for price changes. The relevant components of the Consumer Price Index are used as deflators.
Table 1 presents the revised figures on value index and value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for November 2008 and the provisional figures for December 2008. The value index is compiled with the average monthly value index of retail sales from October 2004 to September 2005 taken as 100.
Table 2 presents the revised figures on volume index of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for November 2008 and the provisional figures for December 2008. The volume index is compiled with the average monthly volume index of retail sales from October 2004 to September 2005 taken as 100.
Table 3 shows the movement of the volume of total retail sales in terms of the year-on-year rate of change for a month compared with the same month in the preceding year based on the original series, and in terms of the rate of change for a three-month period compared with the preceding three-month period based on the seasonally adjusted series.
Users can download the Report on Monthly Survey of Retail Sales free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/products/publications/index.jsp).
Print version of this publication is available for sale at HK$10.0 per issue. Purchase can be done in person at the Publications Unit of the C&SD (Address: 19/F Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai; Tel.: 2582 3025) or through mail order by returning a completed order form which can be downloaded from the C&SD¡¦s website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/other_services/provision_of_stat/mail_ordering_of_publications/index.jsp). Print version of this publication is also available for sale online at the Government Bookstore of the Information Services Department (www.bookstore.gov.hk).
Enquiries about the survey results may be directed to the Distribution Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel.: 2802 1258).
Ends/Monday, February 2, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:30
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